2026 Mitaka Travel Guide: Ghibli Museum Tickets, Access and a Day Trip to Kichijoji
The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka is an animation-themed museum personally supervised by Hayao Miyazaki, located in Mitaka on the outskirts of Tokyo. Entry is by advance reservation only, and it is worth setting aside at least half a day to explore it properly.
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Planned and designed by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, the museum follows the concept of a “lost-in-the-maze museum.” There is no fixed route, and visitors are encouraged to explore every corner and staircase freely.
The building blends European and fairy-tale touches, with a vine-covered roof and stained-glass windows, and inside it shows how animation is made along with original drawings. Tickets are issued in the visitor’s name, and tickets for the following month go on sale on the 10th of each month. Adult tickets cost ¥1,000.
Inokashira Park
An urban oasis right next to the museum, Inokashira Park opened in 1917 and is one of the oldest parks in Tokyo. It is known for Inokashira Pond and the walking path around it, and looks different in every season.
Cherry blossoms bloom along the shore in spring and red maple leaves reflect on the water in autumn. Swan boats can be rented to paddle around the pond, and the park is open all year with free admission, making it an excellent stop during a day in Mitaka.
Kichijoji Shopping Streets
About a 10-minute walk from Inokashira Park, the area covers several lanes including Sun Road shopping street and Harmonica Yokocho, packed with trendy fashion, general goods and food with long queues.
Kichijoji has long ranked near the top of the list of “neighborhoods Japanese people most want to live in.” The shopping area has a relaxed atmosphere and many shops full of personality, perfect for browsing and shopping after the museum.
From Kichijoji Station to the Ghibli Museum: walk through Inokashira Park
From the park exit of JR Kichijoji Station, walk through Inokashira Park and you will reach the Ghibli Museum in about 15 minutes, with pond-side scenery along the way. This suits travelers with time to spare who want a stroll. From the south exit of Mitaka Station it is also about a 15-minute walk, or you can take the community bus, which runs about every 15 minutes during opening hours. Please check the official website for access information before you set out.
Kusougai Zakkaten (Fantasy Street General Store)
A general goods and select shop in the Kichijoji shopping district, selling handmade accessories, stationery and exotic knick-knacks. The fantasy, retro interior is a favorite with artsy travelers.
Please check the shop’s announcements for opening hours and closing days (it opened a physical store in Kichijoji in 2022). It is easy to drop by while strolling around Kichijoji, and a good place to find a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Kichijoji Petit Village
A small European-style village themed on cats and fairy tales, with many cute cafes and general stores. The pastel-colored buildings are a popular spot for photos.
We recommend going in the afternoon and relaxing with a hand-drip coffee. It is the most soothing stop on a day in Kichijoji, and suits families and couples alike.
Hachiman Shrine (Mitaka Hachiman Omikami Shrine)
Founded in 1664 (the 4th year of Kanbun), the shrine enshrines Emperor Ojin as its main deity and is where Mitaka locals pray for good fortune in daily life. The grounds have an office for omamori charms and goshuin stamps.
The shrine is located at 4-18-23 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka. The grounds are small but quiet and peaceful, a good place to visit before or after the museum to experience everyday life in Mitaka and Shinto culture.
Inokashira Benzaiten
A small temple on the shore of the pond in Inokashira Park, enshrining Benzaiten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods. She is said to bless academic success, wealth and progress in the arts.
The vermilion buildings contrast beautifully with the lake views and make a well-known photo spot in the park. After praying you can also buy omamori charms and feel the faith that has been passed down since the Edo period.
Mitaka Station South Exit Area
Around the south exit of Mitaka Station are affordable restaurants and shops for daily necessities. It is the place you must pass through to transfer to the bus to the museum, and also a good spot for a simple meal before setting out early.
The area is not as lively as Kichijoji, but its transport links are excellent, making it a good starting point for a day trip. Take an early bus to the museum to avoid the crowds.
How to Get to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka: A Complete Guide to Transport Options and Costs
The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka is located in the west garden of Inokashira Park at 1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo. Although it carries the name “Mitaka,” you can actually reach it from either JR Chuo Line Mitaka Station or JR Chuo-Sobu Line Kichijoji Station. The walking time from both stations is similar, so you have plenty of transport options.
How to Get to the Ghibli Museum: Transport Options at a Glance
🚃Mitaka Station: 20 minutes from Shinjuku, 30 minutes from Tokyo Station, ¥210-320, a train every 3-5 minutes at peak times; a 15-20 minute walk to the museum.
🚌Community bus: from Stop 9 at the south exit of Mitaka Station, about 5 minutes, ¥230 for adults and ¥120 for children, every 10-15 minutes, not running on closed days, the least effort.
🚃Kichijoji Station: about a 15-minute walk through Inokashira Park, or take a bus and get off at “Mansukebashi.”
🚕Taxi 5-8 minutes, ¥800-1,100; bicycle rental ¥100-200, a flexible backup option.
Must-See Exhibits in Mitaka 2026: A Full Look at the Ghibli Museum Highlights
The best-known landmark in Mitaka is without doubt the “Ghibli Museum, Mitaka” (三鷹の森ジブリ美術館), but around the museum there are also sights worth including, such as Inokashira Park and Mitaka Hachiman Shrine. Below are nine must-visit exhibit areas and nearby spots, so your 2026 visit to Mitaka can be thorough without any missteps.
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (Main Building)
Address: 1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo. Designed by Hayao Miyazaki, the museum looks like something out of a fairy tale and is full of the atmosphere of Ghibli films. Photography is not allowed inside so that visitors can focus on the exhibits. Open 10:00-18:00, by reservation only, with timed entry (10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00). Admission: adults ¥1,000, junior high and high school students ¥700, elementary school students ¥400, children aged 4 and over ¥100, free for under 4. Please reserve through Lawson Ticket when tickets go on sale on the 10th of each month.
We recommend 2-3 hours for a visit. There is no fixed route and you are encouraged to explore freely, taking in the manuscript room, the mock studio and exclusive short animations.
Rooftop Garden and the Robot Soldier from Castle in the Sky
The rooftop garden at the top of the museum is planted with greenery, and a roughly 5-meter-tall bronze statue of the robot soldier from “Castle in the Sky” stands in the middle. It is the most classic photo spot in the whole museum, and many fans come just for it.
The rooftop garden is an open space, and changes in light and season give photos a different mood, especially romantic in spring with cherry blossoms and in autumn with red maple leaves. We recommend staying 20-30 minutes to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
The rooftop has little shelter, so bring sun protection in summer and warm clothing in winter, since photo stops often take longer than expected.
Permanent Exhibition Room “Where a Film Is Born”
This exhibit introduces the complete process of making animation, from hand drawing to finished film, in an easy-to-understand way. It displays a large number of manuscripts, cels and storyboard sketches, so visitors can appreciate the huge amount of hand-drawn work behind every Ghibli film.
The exhibit includes several early animation devices such as the “phenakistoscope” and the “zoetrope.” Visitors can turn them by hand to experience the principle of persistence of vision, which is especially good for children to learn through play.
We recommend about 1 hour to read the exhibit signs carefully. Visitors who enjoy behind-the-scenes knowledge of the animation industry can stay even longer and slowly admire the precious original drawings on the walls.
Saturn Theater Short Film Cinema
The “Saturn Theater” inside the museum is a small private cinema showing original short animations that can only be seen at the Ghibli Museum. Each runs about 10-15 minutes, and the program changes regularly, so you may see a different work on each visit. Seating is first come, first served, so we recommend joining the queue 10 minutes early. The ceiling is painted with a starry sky, echoing the name “Saturn Theater.” We recommend about 20 minutes to watch one screening, and if you have time you can ask staff whether there are extra screenings so you can see different short films.
Cat Bus Children’s Play Room
On the second floor is a play room just for children, with a giant plush Cat Bus in the middle. It is an area that fans of “My Neighbor Totoro” absolutely cannot miss, where children can climb inside the Cat Bus to play and take photos.
This area is for children aged 12 and under only, while parents can stay nearby and take photos. The inside of the Cat Bus is soft and comfortable, and even the windows are designed in the shape of cats, with details that show the care of the Ghibli team.
We recommend 15-20 minutes. At peak times you may need to queue a little, so go right when the museum opens or close to closing time, when it is less crowded.
Mitaka no Mori Shop “MAMMA AIUTO”
The museum gift shop “MAMMA AIUTO” is named after the pirate gang in “Porco Rosso” and sells all kinds of Ghibli goods, including Totoro plush toys, No-Face merchandise and exclusive stationery. It is the only place that sells the museum-exclusive items.
Because some items are sold only here and are not shipped, devoted fans often spend 30-45 minutes choosing souvenirs. Popular items such as Totoro key rings and Ghibli Museum exclusive postcards are often out of stock.
The shop accepts cash or credit cards. In peak season there is a queue at checkout, so plan your shopping time ahead.
Nearby Sight: Inokashira Park
Inokashira Park, right next to the Ghibli Museum, is a well-known cherry blossom spot in Tokyo, with more than 500 cherry trees planted around Inokashira Pond that bloom from late March to early April and draw visitors for picnics and flower viewing. The park is open all day with free admission. Swan boats can be rented to paddle around the pond, with fees according to the boathouse’s posted notice. The park also has the Inokashira Park Nature and Culture Garden, a good place for families to observe plants and animals.
We recommend walking there after visiting the Ghibli Museum and staying 1-2 hours, strolling along the pond for a relaxed atmosphere.
Mitaka Hachiman Shrine
Mitaka Hachiman Shrine, at 4-18-23 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, enshrines Emperor Ojin as its main deity and is the local center of faith for praying for success in studies and careers. Ancient trees tower over the grounds, which are quiet and peaceful.
The shrine office offers many kinds of omamori charms (for academic success, traffic safety and more) priced at about ¥500-800, and goshuin stamps cost about ¥300. The shrine office is open 9:00-17:00.
We recommend 30-40 minutes to pray and collect a goshuin stamp. The grounds are small but solemn, a good place to experience Shinto culture, and especially suited to a visit after the Ghibli Museum.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka? Tickets, Where to Buy and Guided Tours
The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka (三鷹の森ジブリ美術館) is at 1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo, and is a pilgrimage site every Ghibli fan should visit once in a lifetime. Because space is limited, the museum is officially reservation-only: tickets are not sold at the door and walk-up queue entry is not accepted, so knowing the ticket channels and costs in advance is very important to get in. Below are the main ways to buy tickets at present, including the official Lawson ticket system in Japan, booking through travel agencies, and package tours combining nearby Mitaka sights, so even first-time planners can get a handle on things easily.
Official Ghibli Museum Tickets (Direct Purchase via the Lawson Ticket System)
Tickets are sold through Lawson Loppi, and tickets for the following month go on sale on the 10th of each month. Prices: adults/university students ¥1,000, junior high and high school students ¥700, elementary school students ¥400, ages 4 to 6 ¥100, free for ages 3 and under.
Tickets are for a designated date and time slot (10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00), and during summer vacation, winter vacation and Golden Week they often sell out instantly. Overseas visitors are advised to note the on-sale date in advance and have a Japanese address and phone number ready.
Overseas visitors can use the English Lawson Ticket purchase site. Demand is high on the day tickets go on sale, so be sure to log in on time.
How Overseas Visitors Can Buy Ghibli Museum Tickets
The official purchase channels listed for overseas visitors are the English Lawson Ticket site and the Sunrise Tours JTB bus tour package that includes the museum. The museum states clearly that it does not accept purchases made for resale.
Ghibli-related products on platforms such as KKday and Klook are mostly day tours that include the museum, not tickets sold on their own, so please check the plan details and entry eligibility before buying.
The entry date and time slot must be specified when you buy tickets, and tickets are not sold at the museum.
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka + Inokashira Park Stroll Half-Day Tour
For an in-depth experience, you can choose the Inokashira Park half-day package tour, which links with a visit to the Ghibli Museum and gives you a deeper understanding of Miyazaki’s creative world. The tour takes about 3-4 hours, with 1.5-2 hours at the museum and 1 hour walking in Inokashira Park, enjoying the pond, swan boats and greenery.
Package contents and prices vary according to each travel agency’s announcements, so please check whether museum admission is included before buying.
Mitaka + Kichijoji Combined Day Tour (Including Shopping and Food)
The Ghibli Museum, Kichijoji shopping streets and Inokashira Park make up a rich day trip. Visit the Ghibli Museum in the morning, then in the afternoon stroll Sun Road shopping street and Harmonica Yokocho around Kichijoji Station, trying snacks and shopping for general goods. We suggest walking to the museum from Mitaka or Kichijoji Station in about 15-20 minutes, or taking the community bus from the south exit of Mitaka Station (¥230 one way for adults; round-trip tickets are no longer sold). The total cost for a day trip is about ¥4,000-8,000, including tickets, transport and a guide, which is good value and suits travelers who want to cover Mitaka and Kichijoji in one day.
Where to Stay Nearby
The Ghibli Museum, Mitaka sits between Mitaka and Kichijoji, and you can walk from Kichijoji Station through Inokashira Park to reach it. If you stay in Kichijoji or around Shinjuku, the JR Chuo Line takes about 15 to 25 minutes, which suits a round trip in one day.
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka FAQ
Here are the questions readers ask most often about tickets, access and visiting. Be sure to confirm them before you set out so you do not make the trip for nothing.
Q: How much are tickets to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka?
Adult tickets are ¥1,000, junior high and high school students ¥700, elementary school students ¥400, children aged 4 and over ¥100, and free for ages 3 and under.
Q: How do I buy Ghibli Museum tickets?
Tickets are reserved in the visitor’s name. Reservations for the following month open on the official website at 10:00 a.m. (Japan time) on the 10th of each month, and overseas visitors can buy through the English Lawson Ticket site.
Q: What if tickets are sold out?
Official tickets for the following month go on sale at 10:00 a.m. (Japan time) on the 10th of each month. You can try buying again when they go on sale, and we recommend setting a reminder so you do not miss it.
Q: How do I get to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka?
Take the JR Chuo Line to the south exit of Mitaka Station and walk 15 minutes or transfer to the shuttle bus, or walk through Inokashira Park for about 15 minutes from Kichijoji Station on the JR Chuo Line / Keio Inokashira Line.
Q: What time does the Ghibli Museum open? Which day is it closed?
Entry time slots are 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00, and there is no fixed departure time once inside. The museum is closed every Tuesday, and we recommend checking whether there are any temporary closures that month before you go.
Q: Can I take photos inside the museum?
Photography and filming are completely prohibited in the exhibit areas and screening room. Photos may be taken freely only in outdoor spaces such as the outdoor terrace, the rooftop garden and around the ticket booth.
Q: What is the best season to visit Mitaka?
You can see cherry blossoms at Inokashira Park in spring (March to April), and autumn leaves are at their best in November. The weather is pleasant in both seasons, making them the best times for a day trip to Mitaka.
